Anchoring element for the linking of stanchion structures

ABSTRACT

An anchoring element for linking structures, such as for example stringers of stanchions, for the construction of load bearing substructures for supporting facework of building facades with or without ventilation, is made up of a leaf spring elastic tie plate, with vertical expansion, connected to a transverse base that is folded, at opposite and lateral ends of which hooking slots are provided in order to form hooking and connection points. The anchoring element can be configured in different ways, according to the types of stringers and stanchions to be combined and connected.

This is a continuation of PCT/IB2003/005204 filed on Nov. 17, 2003 and incorporated here by reference, and based, in turn, on Italian Application RE2002A000091 filed on Nov. 15, 2002.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention in question concerns an anchoring element for the linking of stanchion structures, adapted for the building of load bearing substructures for supporting the facework of building facades, in particular for supporting facade facework commonly known as “ventilated walls” positioned to allow the circulation of air on the interior of the cavity wall obtained between said external facework and wall structures that are to be covered.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The load bearing substructures currently in use are generally made up of metallic structural shapes anchored to the surfaces of the wall structures to be covered; on these load bearing substructures the wall tiles are to be put. The installation of the substructures includes the anchoring to the walls to be covered of perpendicularly aligned lead stanchions on which horizontal stringers or directly wall tiles are to be put; the distance between said stanchions and/or between said stringers is predetermined in relation to the type of facework provided.

To secure the parts together, at present different types of anchoring elements are used; among those most commonly used are metallic rivets that are inserted into through-holes, of which some are elliptic and/or elongated, implemented in the intersecting and superimposing points of the structures to be connected. However, it is observed that many of said holes cannot be positioned precisely before assembly, but must be made during the assembly stage by adequately equipped specialized personnel. Furthermore, using this type of method, it is observed that, in the event of assessment errors of positioning and implementation of the holes, the aforementioned operations must be repeated again from the beginning since the holes made cannot be used further. All this determines a consequent increase in installation time and costs. Moreover, if it becomes necessary to dismantle the structure, the operation becomes even more complex and difficult.

Alternatively, in place of anchoring elements with rivets, screws and/or bolts may also be used, but the drawbacks are substantially the same as those indicated previously; however, exacerbated by the need for more installation time.

Other anchoring element means are made up by pairs of very narrow “U”-shaped elastic pin elements of variable width and length, that are orthogonally combined, one inside the other, in order to grip the respective profiles, encapsulating them. The application is carried out on each of the four corners originating from the orthogonal superposition of the stringer profiles and stanchion profiles, in the intersecting points of the structure composed. Anchoring elements obtained in this way, also demonstrate a better absorption level of the structural thermal expansions and more moderate installation costs, however they present the drawback of having a limited resistance capacity and of being difficult to dismantle once placed in position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention proposes an undercut anchoring element, for the linking of stanchion structures, intended for the construction of support substructures for the facework facades of buildings with or without ventilated walls, in order to obviate the aforementioned drawbacks; that is simple to construct, is easy, safe and quick to apply, that allows fast and economic correction interventions to remedy possible errors and/or assembly mismatch, that is also resistant to notable loads, that guarantees an excellent absorption level of structural thermal expansions, that is reliable over time, that permits both the anchoring of the stringers to the stanchion as well as the anchoring and the dismantling of facework directly connected to the stanchion and that it is economical both from the constructive as well as applicative point of view.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Examples of undercut anchoring elements, according to the invention, are described hereinafter, with reference to the included drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a first example of an anchoring element, made up of a leaf spring elastic tie plate with a folded base equipped with lateral extensions and external notches, in side, front and perspective view,

FIGS. 2 a and 2 b show an anchoring element of the type in FIG. 1, during the phase of inclined insertion and in a straight orthogonal position, on the anterior flanges of a stanchion,

FIG. 3 shows in perspective the anchoring element according to FIG. 1 and 2, in practice, that connects to a stanchion and supports a stringer,

FIG. 4 shows in perspective a pair of undercut anchoring elements according to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, opposed and connected to a stanchion, that support a stringer,

FIG. 5 shows a second example of an anchoring element, made up of a leaf spring elastic tie plate with folded base equipped with lateral extensions and internal notches, that is to be connected to a second type of stanchion and supports a stringer,

FIGS. 6 a and 6 b represent certain anchoring element typology according to the invention, equipped with further additional elastic hooks and/or notches, to directly support the wall tiles, and

FIGS. from 7 a to 7 l show other possible undercut anchoring element configurations, according to invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

From the Figures it is possible to deduce that the anchoring element, according to the invention, is substantially made up of a leaf spring elastic tie plate 1, with substantially vertical expansion and eventually shaped, connected to a transverse base 2 folded in various ways, at the opposite and lateral ends of which hooking slots and/or eyelets (4, 4′, 17) are present.

In a first solution (FIG. 1) , the shaped leaf spring elastic tie plate 1 with vertical expansion is connected to a transverse base 2, square folded, whose opposite ends protrude laterally with extensions 3 on which the hooking slots are made up of longitudinal notches 4, open and directed towards the exterior. The anchoring element formed in this way is designed to be applied on the vertical stanchions 5 of the substructures that support the facework of building facades, with or without ventilation. Said stanchions 5 are generally box-type metallic structural shapes with front opening 6, equipped with flanges 7 (FIG. 2).

The anchoring element can be applied to the stanchions 5 in the following way: its transverse base 2 is introduced into the front aperture 6 of the stanchions 5, orienting it with an incline in order to place the posterior teeth 8 of the longitudinal notches 4 over the flanges 7 of the structural itself. The anchoring element is rotated in the direction of the arrow 9 (FIGS. 2 a and 2 b), positioning the base 2 orthogonally to the stanchion 5 and hooks for. inserting the flanges 7 of the stanchions in the notches 4. With forward traction, in the direction of the arrow 10, the leaf spring elastic tie plate 1 is pulled back elastically towards the exterior of the structural 5, until establishing a space 11, between the said plate 1 and the external level of the lateral edges 7 of the stanchion, in which a stringer 12 is to be introduced (FIG. 3).

The released small plate 1, tends to return elastically to its first position, resting on the external surface 13 of the stringer 12, pushing on it with the pressure corresponding to the remainder of its springback effect, impeded by the presence of the stringer itself. In such conditions, the internal edges 14 of the notches 4, are gripped and hooked against the internal and external surface of the lateral flanges 7 of the stanchion 5, operating as opposing levers with adequately elevated loads to impede any type of movement and/or sliding of the undercut anchoring element, leaving the stringers free to move as much as necessary to absorb the structure's thermal expansions.

The base 2 of the anchoring element according to the invention is provided with hooking means suitable for:

-   -   coupling with the stanchion 5 in a sliding manner when the base         2 is oriented in a first angular position with respect to the         stanchion, or     -   anchoring the base 2 to the stanchion 5 when said base is         rotated in such a way to result tilted with respect to said         first angular position.

In view of the above it is possible to obtain the sliding of the anchoring element along the stanchion 5 up to a preferred point and to anchor the anchoring element in a preferred point of the stanchion 5 by rotating the base.

Said hooking means are hooking slots 4, 4′ or through-holes 17 able to couple with clearance the shape of the stanchion 5 when said base 2 is oriented in said first angular position with respect to the stanchion 5, said play being recuperated when said base 2 is tilted with respect to said first angular position.

It should be stressed that a room suitable for the insertion of a stringer 12 is defined between said plate 1 and the surface 13 of the stanchion 5, when the base 5 is rotated in such a way to result tilted with respect to said first angular position, said stringer 12 avoiding the rotation of the base towards said first angular position.

All this without the aid of additional stop means.

The same functional concept, of the forced hooking of the slots on the surfaces of stanchions, is present in all the anchoring elements that are the object of this invention, even if said slots are implemented in a different way, as for example, using notches 4 with connected posterior sections 15 (FIG. 7 a) or straight posterior sections 16 (FIG. 7 c); with the notches 4 positioned on the opposite ends of the bases 2, contained widthways like the leaf spring elastic tie plate 1 (FIGS. 7 a and 7 b), or extended over, towards the exterior 3 (FIG. 7 c, 7 d, 7 e); with the notches 4 and 4′ opened respectively towards the exterior (FIGS. 3, 7 a, 7 c, 7 d, 7 e, 7 f, 7 h, 7 i) or towards the interior (FIGS. 5, 7 b, 7 i) according to the type of structural shapes forming the stanchions 5; with through-holes 17 (FIG. 7 g) for stanchions made up of tensile steel cables, pipes or rods; with the extension of the leaf spring elastic tie plate 1 straight (FIGS. 5, 7 a, 7 b, 7 l) or profiled with intermediate folds 19 (FIGS. 1, 7 c, 7 d, 7 e, 7 f, 7 g 7 h, 7 i) ; with or without upper stress raisers 18 in both directions (FIGS. 1, 7 a, 7 b, 7 f, 7 g); with content folded portions 26 for stringers (FIGS. 3, 7 d); with stiffener folded portions 20 (FIG. 7 e); with support folded portions 31 (FIG. 7 h); with superior hooking slots 21 (FIG. 7 f) ; with stiffeners 22 on the base 2 (FIG. 7 h, 7 i) According to the embodiments of FIG. 7 l, the leaf spring elastic tie plate 1 comprises notches 4′ opened respectively towards the interior able to engage stanchions 5 such as showed in FIG. 5.

Advantageously, the leaf spring elastic tie plate 1 according to FIG. 7 l is divided in two portion 1 a and 1 b along a vertical line. When the notches 41 of the leaf spring elastic tie plate 1 according to FIG. 7 l are engaged with the respective wings of the stanchions 5, the stringer 12 allows to the two portion 1 a and 1 b to remain close together (as shown in FIG. 7 l).

In FIG. 4 a double application example is represented, with two opposite anchoring elements, on the same point of a stringer 12, intended, for example, to support very large and/or heavy wall tiles or even for applications that require resistance to loads applied both downwards and upwards.

Other solutions include at least one notch 23, cut out of the interior of the extension 29 of the plate 1 (FIG. 6 b) and/or on the interior of the prolongation 30 of the base 2 (FIGS. 6 a, 7 i); this type of solution allows the connection and the positioning of the stringers 12 and/or of the facework of building facades directly to the stanchion 5, as for example in the case of facework with visible hooks. From the lateral parts of the plate it is possible to have extended joint springs 24 (FIG. 6 b) in order to pressure connect the structural shapes behind the flanges 7, constituting the stanchions 5, autonomously operating the necessary contrast in comparison with the plate, that allows the direct anchoring of the facework, also without stringers.

In FIG. 6 a an application example is represented that uses stringers 12 of reduced length, opportunely shaped in such a way as to support the upper wall tiles 27, while the shaped leaf spring elastic tie plate 1, with the prolongation 30 of the base 2, connects the lower wall tiles 28 to the notch 23.

The vertical stanchions 5, according to the implementation of facework without air circulation, can be integrated into the masonry 25, or, for the implementation of facework with air circulation, the stanchions can be applied externally to the masonry, forming with their thickness the cavity wall necessary for ventilation.

Anchoring elements are preferably made of stainless steel and/or aluminum, in combination with the stanchions and the stringers to be connected, since said materials are most valid for assuring the long duration of the structures and a corresponding resistance and hooking stability between the parts also in the presence of heavy loads; furthermore, they allow an optimum absorption level of the structural thermal expansions.

Advantageously, the anchoring element according to the invention is able to absorbs the thermal expansions of the structures that it connects.

The same forced hooking concept by means of slots and/or eyelets of different types, as described, is applicable on anchoring elements configured with other possible variations, with respect to couplings with different structural shapes, also remaining within the present invention. 

1. Anchoring element for linking structures with stanchions wherein said anchoring element comprises a leaf spring elastic tie plate, with substantially vertical expansion, connected to a folded base at the opposite and lateral ends of which hooking slots are provided.
 2. Anchoring element for linking structures with stanchions according to claim 1, wherein the folded base is contained widthways in the dimensions of the shaped leaf spring elastic tie plate.
 3. Anchoring element for linking structures with stanchions according to claim 1, wherein the folded base is extended towards the exterior over the width of the shaped leaf spring elastic tie plate
 4. Anchoring element for linking structures with stanchions according to claim 1, wherein at opposite and lateral ends of the folded base, contained widthways in the dimensions of the shaped leaf spring elastic tie plate or further extending over the width of said plate, hooking slots are present made up of notches opened towards the exterior.
 5. Anchoring element for linking structures (12) with stanchions according to claim 1, wherein at opposite and lateral ends of the folded base, contained widthways in the dimensions of the shaped leaf spring elastic tie plate or further extended over the width of said plate, are present hooking slots made up of notches opened towards the interior.
 6. Anchoring element for linking structures (12) with stanchions according to claim 1, wherein at opposite and lateral ends of the folded base, contained widthways in the dimensions of the shaped leaf spring elastic tie plate or further extended over the width of said plate, are provided hooking slots made up of rectilinear notches.
 7. Anchoring element for linking structures (12) with stanchions according to claim 1, wherein the hooking slots made up of notches opened towards the exterior or towards the interior, provided at opposite and lateral ends of the folded base, have linked posterior sections.
 8. Anchoring element for linking structures with stanchions according to claim 1, wherein the hooking slots made up of notches opened towards the exterior or towards the interior, provided at opposite and lateral ends of the folded base, have straight posterior sections.
 9. Anchoring element for linking structures with stanchions according to claim 1, wherein at opposite and lateral ends of the folded base, contained widthways in the dimensions of the shaped leaf spring elastic tie plate or further extended over the width of said plate, hooking slots made up of through-holes are provided.
 10. Anchoring element for linking structures with stanchions according to claim 1, wherein the extension of the leaf spring elastic tie plate is straight.
 11. Anchoring element for linking structures with stanchions according to claim 1, wherein the extension of the leaf spring elastic tie plate is profiled with intermediate folds.
 12. Anchoring element for linking structures with stanchions according to claim 1, wherein the extension of the leaf spring elastic tie plate is profiled with upper curvatures in both directions.
 13. Anchoring element for linking structures with stanchions according to claim 1, wherein the extension of the leaf spring elastic tie plate is equipped with in-built folding for a stringer.
 14. Anchoring element for linking structures with stanchions according to claim 1 wherein the extension of the leaf spring elastic tie plate is equipped with stiffener folded portions.
 15. Anchoring element for linking structures with stanchions according to claim 1, wherein the extension of the leaf spring elastic tie plate is equipped with support folded portions.
 16. Anchoring element for linking structures with stanchions according to claim 1, wherein the extension of the leaf spring elastic tie plate is equipped with an upper hooking slot.
 17. Anchoring element for linking structures with stanchions according to claim 1, wherein the base is equipped with stiffeners.
 18. Anchoring element for linking structures with stanchions according to claim 1, wherein in the connection with the stringers, the leaf spring elastic tie plate engaged on the stanchions can be recalled elastically towards the exterior.
 19. Anchoring element for linking structures with stanchions according to claim 1, wherein in the connection with the stringers, the internal edges of the hooking slots, are gripped and hooked against the internal and external surface of the lateral flanges of the stanchions.
 20. Anchoring element for linking structures with stanchions according to claim 1, wherein in the connection with the stringers, the internal edges of the hooking slots operate as opposing levers loaded elastically, whose load is a function of the elastic recall towards the exterior of the leaf spring elastic tie plate.
 21. Anchoring element for linking structures with stanchions according to claim 1, wherein the leaf spring elastic tie plate connected at the base includes at least one notch, cut out of the interior of the respective extensions.
 22. Anchoring element for linking structures with stanchions according to claim 1, wherein the leaf spring elastic tie plate includes lateral retaining springs with a pressure joint in order to connect the structural shapes behind the flanges, constituting the stanchions.
 23. Anchoring element for linking structures with stanchions according to claim 1, wherein the lateral retaining springs operate the necessary contrast autonomously in comparison with the plate.
 24. Anchoring element for linking structures with stanchions according to claim 1, wherein the leaf spring elastic tie plate connected to the base allows the direct anchoring of the facework to the stanchions.
 25. Anchoring element for linking structures with stanchions according to claim 1, wherein it is oppositely connectable with another additional anchoring element.
 26. Anchoring element for linking structures with stanchions, wherein said anchoring element comprises base from which a plate extends with substantially vertical expansion, said base being provided with hooking means suitable for: coupling with the stanchion 5 in a sliding manner when said base is oriented in a first angular position with respect to the stanchion, or anchoring the base to the stanchion when said base is rotated in such a way to result tilted with respect to said first angular position, in order to allow the positioning of the base along the stanchion and the anchoring of the base in a preferred point of the stanchion.
 27. Anchoring element according to claim 26, wherein said hooking means are hooking slots or through-holes able to couple with clearance the shape of the stanchion when said base is oriented in said first angular position with respect to the stanchion, said play being recuperated when said base is tilted with respect to said first angular position.
 28. Anchoring element according to claim 26, wherein said hooking means are hooking slots or through-holes cut out near the respective end of the base.
 29. Anchoring element according to claim 26, wherein a room suitable for the insertion of a stringer is defined between said plate and the stanchion when said base is rotated in such a way to result tilted with respect to said first angular position, said stringer avoiding the rotation of the base towards said first angular position. 